Behind the Scenes of Phoenix-Based Film, Riscatto

This fall, local creatives Andrew Langdal, Kenny Bump, and Nick Stavlund are putting their individual talents together to create "Riscatto,"a short film focused on the conversation two men have on a long car trip before reaching their destination, getting out of the car, and burying a body.

"The film has evolved into a much more grandiose story laden with symbolism, and one that has taken to exploring the journey of redemption," says Bump who wrote the script. "We figured if two people are burying a body, then unless we are dealing with sociopaths, there has to be a larger internal struggle raging on."

The title, Riscatto ("redemption" in Italian), reflects the protagonist's pilgrimage as he leaves his "ill-advised lifestyle" behind, Bump says.

And while much of the story's plot line (mainly conceived by Stavlund) is under wraps, a few details beyond the two-men-in-a-car-who-bury-a-body synopsis is out.

The local trio says that a cast is set and the script is a go. And thanks to crowdfunding website Kickstarter, money for the film is quickly coming in. The trio uploaded a video explaining the project and received almost $700 more than their initial goal of $1,500, which enabled them to purchase video and lighting equipment.

"I could hardly believe [the amount of money pledged]. We went from not quite funded, which on Kickstarter means no money at all, to 43 percent overfunded in a matter of hours," Langdal says.

Kenny Bump, Andrew Langdal, and Nick Stavlund (left-to-right)

They're going to use the excess funds to buy better equipment, he says. It all comes back to their intent to make a professional-looking short film (to hopefully enter into Sundance, Bump jokes).

"We also want to make sure that we are able to care of our cast and crew as best as possible," Langdal says. "Every extra dollar raised above our original goals mean our incredible cast and crew gets to be that much more comfortable and our movie will look that much better."

The short film will be shot in Downtown Phoenix, a warehouse in north Phoenix, and outdoors in the Payson area. Bump says they spent a lot of time driving around Payson (even getting a little lost) to find the right spot for filming.

"Riscatto" blends Langdal's film production experience, Bump's writing and graphic arts expertise, and Stavlund's communication background. Aside from Langdal, this is Bump and Stavlund's first venture into the world of film making.

"I have been writing for a few years in just an exploratory capacity, but this one project just became something worth breathing life into," Bump says.

Visit "Riscatto"'s Kickstarter page to donate or to find out more about the project.